Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-03-25
p get iEaI.
WRESTLING IN HEAVEN.


YOU'RE surprised that ever should say so /:
just wait till the reason I've given
Why say shan't care for the music,
Unless there Is whistling in heaven;
Then you'll think 1t no very great wonder.
Nor SO strange, nor SO bold concelt,
That unless there's boy there a-whistling,
Its music will not be complete.
1t was late in the autumn of 40;
We had come from our far Eastern hcme
just in the season to build us q cabin,
Ere the cold Of the winter should come;
And we lived all the while in our wagon.
While husband was clearing the plp...
Where the house was to stand hGl.
clearing
And building it took many daII n lo|!!l||
SO that sur heads were scarce shl7 q ......
In under Its roof, when our sto7 23l...''.
or provisions was almost exhayl7 2lI..',..
And husband must journey fII1 "a. ...'
And the nearest place where = : 80 ''''''
them DIT 46l...
Was yet such distance awayl7 80 ....
That 1t forced him from home to b 90 $50.
AT least whole night and day. osI''.'''
You see, we'd but tive or three nelghbo...,,
And the nearest was more than mile,
And we hadn't found time yet TO know them,
For we had been busy the while;
And the man who had helped at the raising
Just staid till the work was done;
And as soon as his money was paid him,
Had shouldered his axe and had gene.
Well, husband just kissed me and started.
could scarcely suppress deep groan
AT the thought OF remaining with baby
So long in the house all alone,
For, my dear, was childish and timid,
And Drawer ones might well have feared,
For the wild wolf was often heard bowling,
And savages sometimes appeared.
But ! smothered my grief and my terror
I'LL husband was off on his ride.
And then IN my arms took Josey,
And all the day long sat and cried,
AS ! thought OF the long dreary hours
When the darkness OF night should fall,
And was SO utterly helpless,
With no one in reach of my call
And when the night came with its terrors,
To hide ev'ry ray Of light,
hung up quilt by the window,
And, almost dead with alright,
kneeled by the side Of the cradle
Scarce daring To draw q full breath,
Lest the baby should wake, and its crying
Should bring us horrible death.
There knelt until late In the evening,
And scarcely an inch had stirred,
When suddenly, far In the distance,
A sound as of whistling heard
| started up, dreadfully frightened,
For fear twas an Indians call
And then very soon remembered
The red man ne'er whistles at all.
And when was sure twas white man,
thought, were he coming for III,
He'd surely approach with more cautioa---
Would come without warning and still.
Then the sounds coming nearer and nearer,
Took the form Of tune light and gay,
And knew | needn't fear evil
From one who could whistle that way.
Very soon heard footsteps approaching,
Then came peculiar dull thump,
AS If some one was heavily striking
An axe In the top Of q stump;
And then la another brief moment,
There came a light tap on tho door,
When quickly undid the fast'nings,
And In stepped a.boy, and before
There was either question or answer,
Or either had time TO speak,
| just threw my arms around him,
And gave him kiss on the cheek.
Then started back, scared at my boldness,
A5ut hO Ohly oihtitu ~ MY \
AS he said, "Pm your neighbours boy, EIickl
Gene to tafry with you through the nightN
1--WE saw your husband go eastward,
And made up our minds where he'd gene,
And said " the rest of cur people,
That woman is there all alone,
And / venture she's awfully lonesome,
And though she may have no great fear,
think she wsuld feel bit safer
II only boy were but near
$50 taking my axe on my shoulder,
Fer fear that savage might stray
Across my path, and need scalping,
started right down this way;
And coming in sight OF the cabin,
And thinking 10 save yeu alarm,
/ whistled u tune. just TO show you
didn't intend any harm.
"And so here am, at your service;
But II you don't want me TO stay,
Why, all you need do 10 10 say so,
And should'ring my axe III away"
dropped In chair and near tainted,
just at thought OF his leaving me then,
And his eye gave knowing bright twinkle
AS he said guess I'll remain"
And then just sat there and told him
How terribly frightened I'd been,
How his face was 10 me the most welcome
OF any | ever had seen;
And then lay down with the baby.
And slept all the blessed night through.
For felt was safe from all danger
Near so brave young fellow and true
So now, my dear friend, do you wonder,
Since such good reason I've given,
Why say shan't care for the music
Unless there is whistling In heayeng
Yes, I've said so In earnest,
And now what I've said l repeat,
That unless there's boy there a-whistlinp
Its music will not be complete.
--La,per's Magazine.